NIKOLA Katic says he would have run to Scotland to join Steven Gerrard's Rangers after signing a four-year deal at Ibrox. 

The 21-year-old Croatian defender finalised a move from Slaven Belupo in his home country for a fee in the region of £2 million on Tuesday. 

Katic becomes the fifth new signing to join Steven Gerrard's squad along with Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor, Jamie Murphy and Ovie Ejaria.

Read more: Rangers set to confirm deal for Brighton defender Connor Goldson​

“It is a big pleasure to be here as this is one big club one of the biggest in Europe and in the world," he told Rangers TV. 

"It is good to be here and this is a big step for me.

“When they told me Steven Gerrard wanted to take me, I told my agent I’d get my shoes on and run to Scotland!

“He is a legend of football all over the world and I am glad to be here with him.

“It’s a big club in a strong league. I can play in Europe and play in front of 50,000 fans at every home game. It’s wonderful and a really good step for me.”

The 6ft 4in Bosnian-born stopper made 34 appearances in the Croatian top-flight last season as Slaven Belupo finished seventh and he believes his style of play will suit the Scottish game well. 

“I am the sort of player who likes a duel and in Scotland, the type of football I think is for me," he said.

"There are a lot of long-balls and a lot of duels, and that is what I like.

“I’ve seen the stadium on television and I have read about the fans and the rivalry with Celtic. It is really great and I cannot wait to play here.”

Rangers fought off competition from Spartak Moscow to land the highly-rated centre-back, who made his senior debut for Croatia last year. 

He insisted that he regards a return to the national set-up as a top priority. 

Read more: Rangers set to confirm deal for Brighton defender Connor Goldson​

"It will help me as Croatia has so many players at good clubs – Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool – and it is hard to come from the Croatian league to play in the Croatian national team," he explained. 

“But Rangers is a good step to show to the national manager that I can play for the national team.

“Everyone has said they [the former players] did a good job here, and now I have a job to hold that tradition here.”

He added: “I want to train hard every day and help the team to get better results in every game, and to try and win the Scottish league and cup.

“Rangers needs to be in with the top European clubs, and I will try with the other players to move this club to the top of European football.”